Lady Eagles shoot for 1st finals berth

Games today (MOA Arena)

2 p.m. – FEU vs Ateneo (men’s)

4 p.m. – FEU vs Ateneo (women’s)

MANILA, Philippines — Top seed Ateneo sets its sights on the first finals seat as it tangles with last year’s runner-up Far Eastern U in the semifinals of the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay today.

The Lady Eagles will try to use their twice-to-beat advantage to the hilt to tame the rampaging fourth seed Lady Tamaraws in their 4 p.m. encounter.

Ateneo boasts an 11-2 record at the end of the double round eliminations, including two wins over FEU.

The Lady Eagles rose from the brink of defeat to prevail, 14-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-18, 15-12, in their first round meeting last Feb. 24 then dominated in the next, 25-21, 25-10, 25-18, last April 3.

But not to be outdone are the Lady Tamaraws, who are brimming with confidence after stunning the defending three-time champion La Salle Lady Spikers, 25-22, 13-25, 15-25, 27-25, 15-8, at the close of the elims last Sunday.

FEU will try to disarm Ateneo of its semis incentive and force a winner-take-all on Wednesday.

The Lady Tamaraws got swept by the Lady Spikers in their best-of-three battle for the crown last year.

Heather Guino-o, Jerrili Malabanan, Celine Domingo and libero Buding Duremdes will stand their ground for FEU against the best blocking team in ADMU led by Maddie Madayag, Kat Tolentino and Bea de Leon.